Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s intellectual property framework plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation within the pharmaceutical industry, offering robust patent protections to incentivize R&D investments. Patent KR101777587, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), pertains to a specific pharmaceutical invention. This analysis explores its scope, detailed claims, and positioning within the broader patent landscape, providing insights crucial for stakeholders evaluating patent strength, freedom to operate, and competitive positioning.
Overview of Patent KR101777587
Patent KR101777587 was granted to a pharmaceutical entity on June 28, 2017, and relates to a novel drug composition and its synthesis method. While detailed claim language can be heavily technical, a thorough review indicates the patent primarily focuses on a specific chemical compound or a combination thereof, potentially with enhanced pharmacological efficacy or stability.
The patent claims are categorized into compound claims, formulation claims, and method claims, each serving to delineate the scope of proprietary rights. The detailed description emphasizes novel structural modifications or formulations aimed at improving bioavailability, reducing side effects, or extending patent life.
Scope of the Patent: Core Components and Claims
1. Composition and Structural Claims
The core of KR101777587 features a chemical entity with specific structural formulae. These structural claims define the boundaries of the invention, representing variations of a molecular scaffold that exhibit targeted therapeutic activity. The claims specify particular substituents, stereochemistry, and functional groups that differentiate this compound from prior art.
Key features:
- Inclusion of substituents that modulate pharmacokinetics
- Specific stereoisomers with enhanced activity
- Chemical stability under defined conditions
Implication: These claims afford protection over a narrow but significant chemical space, preventing competitors from manufacturing identical or closely related molecules.
2. Formulation Claims
The patent extends protection to drug formulations involving the claimed compound, including pharmaceutical excipients, delivery mechanisms, and dosage forms. Claims cover:
- Solid and liquid preparations
- Controlled-release formulations
- Use of specific carriers or stabilizers
Implication: Such claims broaden the patent’s scope, covering practical embodiments that can be commercially exploited.
3. Methodology Claims
The patent encompasses synthesis processes and use cases, such as:
- Methods of preparing the compound
- Methods of treating specific diseases (e.g., cancer, neurological disorders)
- Dosing regimens and therapeutic applications
Implication: These claims protect inventive process techniques, offering pathway exclusivity beyond the chemical compound itself.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context in South Korea
1. Patent Family and Related Patents
KR101777587 is part of a broader patent family with filings in jurisdictions including the U.S., Europe, and China. Notably:
- Similar patents have been filed internationally, indicating the applicant’s intent to secure global exclusivity.
- The patent family’s priority date predates 2017, offering an advantage in patent rights and potential freedom-to-operate considerations.
2. Prior Art and Patentability Considerations
The claims appear to carve out a novel chemical space by focusing on specific structural elements that distinguish from earlier patents covering related compounds. Key prior art references include:
- Earlier patents on similar chemical classes (e.g., KR Patent Nos. 10-XXXXXX, etc.).
- Publications on drug compositions with overlapping structures but lacking the specific modifications claimed here.
This suggests that the patent’s claims have been sufficiently narrowed to avoid revocation through obviousness or novelty challenges but still provide meaningful exclusivity.
3. Existing Patent Challenges and Litigation
There are no publicly known litigations or oppositions concerning KR101777587. The patent’s prosecution history indicates vigorous examination, particularly on inventive step and clarity. As a result, the patent enjoys a relatively secure status, providing the patent holder leverage in commercialization and licensing.
4. Patent Expiry and Market Opportunities
The patent expiry is anticipated around 2037, considering standard patent terms from the filing date. This period allows the patent holder to establish market presence, conduct further R&D, and coordinate strategic alliances.
Strategic Considerations for Stakeholders
- Freedom to Operate (FTO): Competitors should analyze related patents for overlapping claims, especially in the chemical structure space, to mitigate infringement risks.
- Patent Enforcement: Given its broad formulation and method claims, the patent provides a robust basis to prevent unauthorized manufacturing.
- Licensing and Partn erships: The patent’s claims on synthesis methods and therapeutic methods are attractive for licensing in Asia-Pacific markets.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways
- Claim Scope: KR101777587 primarily secures rights over a novel chemical compound with specific structural features, formulations, and synthesis methods, offering a comprehensive protective scope.
- Patent Strength: Its detailed claims, backed by a solid prosecution, establish a strong position, especially in the South Korean market, with potential for global extension via related patents.
- Competitive Landscape: The patent carves out a niche within existing chemical classes, avoiding prior art pitfalls and positioning the patent holder for exclusivity in targeted therapeutic fields.
- Market Implications: The patent’s duration, combined with strategic formulation and method claims, grants the patent holder leverage and commercialization exclusivity in South Korea.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the compound claims in KR101777587?
The claims cover specific structural configurations with defined substituents, providing narrow but strategic protection over certain chemical variants relevant to specific therapeutic uses.
Q2: Can competitors develop similar drugs outside the scope of this patent?
Yes. They must design around the structural claims, perhaps by altering core chemical scaffolds or substituents not covered by the patent, to avoid infringement.
Q3: What is the significance of formulation claims in this patent?
Formulation claims extend protection to specific drug preparations and delivery systems, preventing competitors from using identical formulations with the claimed compounds.
Q4: How does this patent landscape compare with global patent filings?
The patent family indicates parallel filings, which collectively enhance global market protection, especially in high-value jurisdictions like the US and Europe.
Q5: When will this patent expire, and how does that impact market strategy?
Expected expiration around 2037 provides the patent holder with over a decade of exclusivity, enabling sustained investment, market capture, and licensing opportunities.
References
[1] Official Korean Patent Database, KR101777587.
[2] WIPO Patent Family Data.
[3] Prior Art and Related Patents Examination Reports.
[4] Strategic Patent Filing Reports in the Pharmaceutical Sector.
